Pastor Ssempa says Bobi Wine's new political song distorts 'balokole' heritage

salim segawa 12:06 - 02 January 2019

Pastor Martin Ssempa

"He holds himself as the future messiah who replaces Jesus!"

Anti-gay activist Pastor Martin Ssempa has taken to Twitter to rant about Bobi WIne's new political song 'Olutalo nga luwedde'.

The 51-year-old pastor claims that the song is a 'mutilation and distortion of our collective balokole (born-again Christians) heritage'.

A series of posts on Twitter, Pastor Ssempa discloses that 'my problem is how he is changing the meaning/message of the song'.

"The politicization of our sacred worship songs is NOT good," he says in one of the tweets.

1. As a pastor, I am glad @HEBobiwine is now singing Balokole Revival song "Olutalo Nga luwedde", my problem is how he is changing the meaning/message of the song. What is the impact of turning a gospel worship song into a political party song? pic.twitter.com/GkYZi6YAr5
— Martin Ssempa (@martinssempa) January 2, 2019

2. The song talks about a believers good fight as a Pilgrim headed for heaven.. the Biblical "new Jerusalem". Now @HEBobiwine tells us that the new Jerusalem is NOT heaven but when he becomes Uganda's president!! He holds himself as the future messiah who replaces Jesus!
— Martin Ssempa (@martinssempa) January 2, 2019

3. The crown of glory talked about is the Victor's crown given by God to those who overcome. @HEBobiwine says its the crown every Ugandan will get when he is president! While his song of medical services for women is good, having good healthcare is not heaven! It's a right!
— Martin Ssempa (@martinssempa) January 2, 2019

The battle or Olutalo is a the Balokole song of battling against the Satan and his demonic minions of the world. @HEBobiwine says its now his battles with @PoliceUg tear gas has at his rallies. Our battle is firstly spiritual then rewards will be given to the Victor by God. pic.twitter.com/RvkInaZjdd
— Martin Ssempa (@martinssempa) January 2, 2019

5. 6. This song was composed and is owned by our Balokole. My late mother, a fearless evangelist asked that we sing it at her funeral. It was most meaningful to reflect on the great sacrifices of a single mother raising 8 children and battling to keep the faith. @HEBobiwine
— Martin Ssempa (@martinssempa) January 2, 2019

6. The politicization of our sacred worship songs is NOT good. Adding the rastaman "Yagayagayo" to the sacred texts of our sacred song distorts their meaning and mutilateds its holy dignity! @HEBobiwine can compose his own songs from the #Firebase studios.
— Martin Ssempa (@martinssempa) January 2, 2019

7. As for the appearance of @WilsonBugembe in the song, I can only say that singing holy songs for political ends is what the psalmist said in Psalm 137. Forgetting the true Jerusalem for another is such a horrible thought! I would rather loose a hand.. He said!
— Martin Ssempa (@martinssempa) January 2, 2019

8. "By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. 2 There on the poplars we hung our harps, 3 for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!
— Martin Ssempa (@martinssempa) January 2, 2019

9. "How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign/Strange land? 5 IF I FORGET you JERUSALEM, may my right hand forget its skill. 6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy"
— Martin Ssempa (@martinssempa) January 2, 2019